The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has banned the importation of poultry products from Burkina Faso as a result of a recent outbreak of Avian Influenza Bird Flu in that country.

Avian Influenza popularly known as bird flu is caused by many different strains of influenza viruses that have adapted to a specific host.
According to a statement from the Ministry, “We do not intend to create panic in the country but wish to remind the general public of the total ban of importation of poultry and and poultry products from Burkina Faso.”

A standstill order and other necessary measures have been initiated in Burkina Faso since April 1, 2015.

Meanwhile officers from the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture have started intensive disease surveillance in the Upper East and Upper West regions as well as the Volta Region.

This is not the first time government has issued an order banning the importation of poultry from another African country.

It earlier took a similar action following a recent upsurge of bird flu in Nigeria.

Other instructions

The Ministry has given some instructions to help avoid an outbreak in Ghana

1. All poultry meat as well as eggs should be well cooked before consumption.

2. Any internal movement of poultry and poultry products must undergo veterinary inspection and covered with movement permit.

3. Dead birds should never be handled with bare hands

4. The general public have been advised to immediately report any “unusual deaths” in domestic as well as wild birds to the nearest veterinary office.